I’ve been in ministry a while now. Over the years I’ve learned a lot. As a young pastor I was pretty idealistic and thought that people would respond to the Bible if it were just accurately taught. I also thought that when there was conflict, that talking things out and explaining what the Bible says would be gladly received and problems would be quickly and easily resolved. I thought too, that people would like me; that I was a nice guy, and so of course people would want to follow me.

Boy was I wrong.

I remember the first time I faced opposition in ministry. The issue was biblical. I took a stand on what the Bible clearly taught. Those who didn’t agree with me responded harshly. Not only did they disagree, but in time it became abundantly clear that they didn’t like me because of the disagreement. I was devastated. C’mon, everybody likes gentle Ben, right? And why couldn’t they be persuaded to the truth by my ironclad logic and brilliant biblical arguments?

Fast forward many years, and here’s what I’ve learned: Sometimes I face opposition, and not everybody likes me. Simple as that, and it will always be that way.

We’ve all had moments in life when we faced opposition. Sometimes we just knew it was coming, expected it, waited for it, and did our best when it came. Other times we were totally blindsided and rocked to our core that someone would have a problem with something we said or did. Opposition is part of life. It’s never easy and can be very emotional when it occurs. Those are the times we replay conversations in our mind over and over again, either justifying ourselves or thinking up the best arguments to shut down our opponents.

Fortunately, God has given us all we need to face opposition and deal with the conflict that comes along with it. The Bible predicts we will be opposed. Make a quick list in your mind of all the people in the Bible you can think of that never faced any opposition. Short list, isn’t it? Could you think of anyone? Stephen said in his sermon in Acts 7, “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?” Answer: none.

Consider our study in Exodus where we see Moses and his confrontation with Pharaoh. Moses was opposed by a man who was perhaps the most powerful man on earth at the time (and this is just the beginning; he would later face horrible opposition from his own people). Moses knew he would be opposed by Pharaoh, because God told him so. But this opposition was part of God’s plan to show Himself, a God who channels the hearts of kings and defeats the gods of this world so that His name would be known in all the earth. There is purpose in opposition.

And you, how have you been opposed? How have you handled it? Has it scarred you, changed you, grown you? You may be in a time of opposition right now and face daily confrontation at work, at home, and possibly even in church.

So, if you are being opposed right now, remember that you are in good company. Noah, Abraham, Moses, all of the prophets, Jesus and His apostles—all faced intense opposition. We are also specifically told that we will be opposed, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

That’s comforting, because God knows. There are also some practical things we must keep in mind as well. Here are some questions to keep in mind:

Are you wrong? That’s always the first place to start, with your own heart. If you are opposed for sin, then you need to repent. “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:15-16). Just because you are being opposed does not mean you are right. Humility always dictates that we first look to ourselves.

Is this theological/biblical? Sometimes we go toe-to-toe with people over issues that are a matter of preference rather than biblical truth. Be sure you are on firm biblical footing in the issue over which you are being opposed. Not everything is worth confrontation.

Are you defending yourself? If this is a personal matter in which someone simply doesn’t like you (or you don’t like them) then perhaps you need to stand down. Praying for your opponents will go a lot further than personal defense. “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28).

Are you defending God? If you are defending God and His honor, do as Moses did. He was told by the Lord to speak what God had said, and all God had said. Know your Bible. Don’t put words in God’s mouth, and don’t conveniently leave things out in order win your case or to avoid further confrontation. God is perfectly capable of defending Himself through the truth of His Word He has given to us.

What is your attitude? Let’s face it. Being opposed hurts. That hurt can quickly turn to other emotions like anger and bitterness. We must be steadfast with the truth, but we must also practice humility and kindness with our opponents. “Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Learn the lessons I have learned the hard way, and over many years: not everyone is going to respond favorably to you, and not everyone is going to like you. We should expect opposition, because we see it both predicted and modeled in the Bible by God’s people. The example of Moses is fresh for us right now. Stand firm. Be courageous. Trust in God and the power and truth of His Word. When the cause is just, He will fight for you!